Tiptronic

Whitebread · 08-13-2001, 10:43 PM

There is a new trend going on in the states. This is the installing of a "Tipronic or Geartronic" trannmission. For those of you that don't know what it is it's teh hybrid of a manual and automatic transmission. You can shift like a manual but there is no clutch pedal. Ironicly this system was patented by Porscha. My worry is that by the time I get a Skyline of my own, whcih won't be for another 10 years or more, Nissian will have only tripronic transmissions in their Skylines. I just want to know your thoughts on this.

R33 · 08-14-2001, 12:15 AM

Hi, interesting topic indeed. I heve no experience with Tiptronic/Steptronic etc other then driving a Altezza with their version of Tiptronic and comparing it to another Altezza with manual gear. I must say that the manual Altezza feels a lot more responsive than the Tiptronic version which feels very docile and super smooth not unlike an auto car! A check with several tuners reveal that the Tiptronic Altezza cannot hold much power upgrade while the manual can take more abuse. So, can it be said that the manual gear can give better performance and is more compatible with upgrade? On the Altezza, it seems so.
I am of course mindful that Porsche and Ferrari are also Tiptronic equipped. I have yet to drive the Modena with Tiptronic and therefore could not say that the Tiptronic Modena is slow. Considering, however, that even F1 cars are using Tiptronic gears, it cannot be said for certain that Tiptronic is not good for performance. A real disadvantage of Tiptronic is of course the really high cost of replacement if ever it is needed. Imagine a GTR with stock power equipped with Tiptronic. Do a 500hp job on it and the Tiptronic goes, how much will it be to replace it? I would rather spend less money on a set of Hollinger or HKS Seq. That's my 0.02 cents worth!

Whitebread · 08-14-2001, 11:18 AM

Yes, well I perfer the feel of a clutch pedal and a stick. You can feel how the engine is running. You cna also feel how the transmission is. I think that a manual is better. And like you said it can take more cause it's all macanical and they almost never break.

Renewable · 06-15-2002, 04:21 PM

I have a real need for this type of device. I broke the left foot and have manual clutch.
Interested in modifying my Dodge Ram to something similar, lower cost. My idea is that
maybe a solenoid and hydrolic release could do it ?

Whitebread · 06-15-2002, 04:23 PM

Is your clutch that stiff or is your foot that broke?

Renewable · 06-15-2002, 04:51 PM

Thanks for being interested, I just have alot of ideas about modifying things. And if I knew of
anyone who thought this might work. I'll probrably be using my clutch in a few weeks, still
am interested in this type of research. And the pedal is kinda stiff, do you know how it can
be made easier to push in ?:grey:

Whitebread · 06-15-2002, 04:54 PM

I'm sure you could fit a tranny with tiptronic in it in your car. Although it probably would take a lot of work. I'm not sure but I think that a version of the G35 has a tiptronic tranny. As for the clutch, I have no idea. Sorry.

Spec2 Girl · 06-16-2002, 07:20 PM

I miss the tiptronic in my FTO. I thought it was the best of both worlds as it could be driven totally lazy by just sticking it into drive, or more aggressively in the “manual” mode.

I don’t think that the tiptronic will ever replace a manual transmission, but I think that more and more autos will have the tiptronic option instead of a straight auto.

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